Photodynamic Therapy Using HPPH in Treating Patients With Obstructive Esophageal Tumors

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed esophageal cancer Stages T1-T3, any N, any M Tumor partially or completely obstructing the esophagus Primary or recurrent tumor meeting 1 of the following criteria for treatment: Patient is too debilitated for or refused conventional therapy Recurred after or failed to respond to chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or surgery Deemed most appropriately treated by photodynamic therapy (PDT) in the opinion of the physician Persistent symptomatic disease required in patients who received prior radiotherapy, chemotherapy, or PDT with photofrin or HPPH Prior PDT with HPPH allowed only if tumor is evident outside of the original treatment site No tracheal or bronchial involvement by bronchoscopy No T4 lesions involving the aorta, lung, or pericardium by CT scan, MRI, or endoscopic ultrasonography PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age 18 and over Performance status Not specified Life expectancy Not specified Hematopoietic WBC at least 2,000/mm^3 Platelet count at least 50,000/mm^3 Hepatic Bilirubin no greater than 3.0 mg/dL Alkaline phosphatase no greater than 3 times upper limit of normal (ULN) SGOT no greater than 3 times ULN PT no greater than 1.5 times ULN Renal Creatinine no greater than 3.0 mg/dL Other Not pregnant Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use effective contraception No contraindications to endoscopy No porphyria No hypersensitivity to porphyrins PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy Not specified Chemotherapy See Disease Characteristics More than 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy No concurrent chemotherapy Endocrine therapy Not specified Radiotherapy See Disease Characteristics More than 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy No concurrent radiotherapy Surgery Not specified Other No concurrent photosensitizing agents (e.g., tetracyclines, sulfonamides, phenothiazines, sulfonylureas, hypoglycemic agents, thiazide diuretics, and griseofulvin)